approbation
(n.) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval
assuage
(v.) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench
coalition
(n.) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
decadence
(n.) decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence
elicit
(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)
expostulate
(v.) to attempt to dissuade someone from some course of decision by earnest reasoning
hackneyed
(adj.) used so often as to lack freshness or originality
hiatus
(n.) a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)
innuendo
(n.) a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)
intercede
(v.) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement
jaded
(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)
lurid
(adj.) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint
meritorious
(adj.) worthy, deserving recognition and praise
petulant
(adj.) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
prerogative
(n.) a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence
provincial
(adj.) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside; (n.) a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outl
simulate
(v.) to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of
transcend
(v.) to rise above or beyond, exceed
umbrage
(n.) shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; and overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion
unctuous
(adj.) excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable